McLaren’s Sudden Surge In Performance Causes Troubles As FIA Demands Engine From Mercedes Amid Investigation

The FIA has summoned an engine from Mercedes for comparison with McLaren amid a fuel pump investigation. Read on to get more details.

By Ananya Kesh

Published on Jun 03, 2024 | 05:05 PM IST | 239.3K

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McLaren's comeback has caught the attention of F1 fans everywhere. Consistently landing on the podium, they have shown significant progress; even snatching a race win. Their first since 2021. But this sudden rise to glory has got the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) wondering about McLaren's power units. They happen to be provided by none other than Mercedes.

McLaren’s comeback leads to Mercedes’ scrutiny

After several challenging seasons, McLaren has emerged as one of the top contenders in F1, consistently securing podium finishes and even clinching a race victory earlier this season. Their first since 2021. This dramatic turnaround has piqued the interest of the FIA. Particularly concerning the legality of McLaren’s power units.

The FIA's investigation is to ensure that the engines supplied by Mercedes to McLaren are identical to those used by the Mercedes works team. This move comes after suspicions arose that McLaren’s power units might be providing an unfair advantage.

Leclerc’s comments stir controversy

The investigation gained steam when Ferrari's Charles Leclerc piped up after Emilia-Romagna GP. He had some concerns about McLaren's and Red Bull's performance hinting that there might be some funny business going on with their engine strategies.

He remarked, “We lost everything in the straights. They are doing something weird with the energy. Engine-wise McLaren and Red Bull.”

In 2019, Ferrari found themselves in a similar predicament. Their SF-90 car, dominant on power-hungry tracks drew suspicion from rival teams. The FIA's subsequent investigation revealed that Ferrari had manipulated the fuel-flow meter to exceed the 100kg per hour limit.

This provided them with a significant performance boost. This violation also led to stringent penalties. It also forced Ferrari to run on reduced fuel, which further impacted their customer teams negatively.

Red Bull’s fuel pump issues

Interestingly, Red Bull also faced fuel pump problems earlier this year but was unable to make changes due to strict regulations that mandate teams to use parts from FIA-designated suppliers. Leclerc’s comments implied there might be foul play involved. This echoed a similar controversy his own team faced in the past.

For McLaren, this investigation could go one of two ways. It could validate their incredible success. It could prove that they've earned every win. Or, it could cast a shadow over their remarkable comeback. The stakes are high.

The Red Bull domination cannot be ignored while McLaren has been making their own strides. With both teams in the mix, it's shaping up to be an intense three-way battle for the Constructors' Championship.

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